Collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like



Nov. 23, 1954 O. L. vlNEs 2,695,116

coLLARsIBLE CARRIER FOR coLuMNAR ARTICLES AND THR LIRE Filed Oct. 20, 1950 INVENTOR 0866/' ,l/76's BY L@ M lzq 44am f @ML ATTORNEYS United States Patent O COLLAPSIBLE CARRIER FOR COLUMNAR ARTICLES AND THE LIKE Oscar L. Vines, New York, N. Y.

Application October 20, 1950, Serial No. 191,220

14 Claims. (Cl. 2211-113) This invention relates to collapsible carriers for columnar articles and the like and, more particularly, to collapsible carriers adapted to be loaded with bottles, cans, and the like, in an automatic loading machine.

As a result of the present trend toward the sale of bottled and canned beverages and foods in convenient carriers, there is an increasing demand for a strong yet inexpensive carton construction which in its collapsed condition will be relatively flat and yetwhich can be opened readily to its fully expanded shape in an automatic loading machine. In my copending application Serial No. 84,648, filed March 3l, 1949, I have described and claimed a collapsible carrier which meets these standards in spite of its being formed out of relatively light sheet material such as kraft paper.

Utilizing the general principles of the collapsible carrier construction set forth in my aforementioned application, I have now devised a collapsible carrier blank capable of being formed from paperboard or the like. Collapsible carriers formed from such a blank are not only at in their collapsed form and rigid in their expanded or opened form, but are possessed of an inherent springlike characteristic which tends to hold the columnar articles in place and to cushion shocks to which they may be subjected.

The collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like pursuant to the present invention comprises a blank having a substantially rectangular main body member of substantially rigid sheet material such as paperboard. The body member is provided with a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line as Well as second and third transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and closer thereto than to the ends of the body member. The body member is further provided with fourth and fifth transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and adjacent but spaced from the ends of the body member. The body member is further provided with a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line normal to the transverse score lines and has second and third longitudinal score lines disposed on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line. The area of the body member defined by the second and third transverse score lines and by the second and third longitudinal score lines is cut out. The areas of the body member defined by the ends thereof and the fourth and fifth transverse score lines, respectively, and further by the second and third longitudinal score lines, are also cut out. The portion of the main body member between the second longitudinal score line and the nearer longitudinal edge of the body member is further provided with a transverse score line between one end thereof and the fourth transverse score line, between the second and central transverse score lines, between the central and third transverse score lines, and between the fifth transverse score line and the other end of the body member. The resulting structure comprises two main areas defined by the longitudinal score lines, respectively, these areas comprising carrier wall sections each of which is divided into two carrier side panels and adjoining end wall portions by the central transverse score line.

These and other novel features of the collapsible carrier blank of my present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l shows the basic form of a partially scored carrier blank according to the invention prior to the removal of various cut out portions;

2,695,116 Patented Nov. 23, 1954 ICC Fig. 2 shows a completely scored and cut out blank for a carrier pursuant to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows the carrier blank of Fig. 2 in a partially assembled state;

4 is a top plan view of the completely assembled carrier in its nearly collapsed condition; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the assembled carrier in its n early opened condition; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the opened carrier taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5.

The. basic form of the collapsible carrier blank of my invention is shown in Fig. l. VAs in my aforementioned application, the carrier blank comprises a substantially rectangular main body member 10. The body member is provided with a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line 11 as well as with second and third transverse score lines 12 and 13, respectively. The transverse score lines 12 and 13 are disposed on opposite sides of the central score line 11 and are closer to this central score line than they are to the ends 15 and 16 of the main body member. The body member 10 is further provided with .fourth and fifth transverse score lines 17 and 18, respectively, on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and adjacent to but spaced from the ends 15 and 16, respectively.

The body member 10 is also provided with a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line 19 normal to .the transverse score lines. Second and third longitudinal sc ore lines 20 and 21, respectively, are provided on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line. A glue flap 22 projects from one end of the main body member 10, this flap having a width approximately that of the distance between the third longitudinal score line 21 and the nearer longitudinal edge 23 of the body member. The glue flap 22 adjoins the main body member along a score line 24 which is in effect an extension of the end 16. Although the handle structure for the carrier may be provided by any suitable means, l have found its advantageous to form the handle portion as a separate panel 25 projecting from a portion of the other longiidiial edge 26 of the main body member, as shown in The carrier blank shown in Fig. 2 is substantially that shown in Fig. l except for the provision of certain cut out portions and additional score lines as well as a handle portion. The central portion of the main body member is cut away throughout the area defined by the second and third transverse score lines 12 and 13 and by the second and third longitudinal score lines 20 and 21. A portion of the body member is also cut away at each end thereof within the area defined by the longitudinal score lines 20 and 21 and extending from the fourth and fifth transverse score lines 17 and 18 to the respective ends 15 and 16 of the body member. It will be seen that the cut out portions and the various score lines define two areas of the main body member each comprising a carrier wall section.

One of the carrier wall sections comprises the area between the two ends 15 and 16 and between one longitudinal edge 26 and the second longitudinal score line 20. The other carrier wall section is similarly defined by the other longitudinal edge 23, the third longitudinal score line 21, and the ends of the body member. The first mentioned carrier wall section is provided with four additional transverse score lines 27, 28, 29 and 30. The score line 27 is positioned intermediate the end 15 of the body member and the fourth transverse score line 17. Score line 28 is positioned intermediate the second transverse score line 12 and the central transverse score line 11, while score line 29 is similarly placed between the central transverse score line 11 and the third transverse score line 13. Score line 30 is positioned intermediate the fifth transverse score line 1S and the other end 16 of the body member.

It will be seen, accordingly, that the various transverse score lines divide the first mentioned carrier wall section into a side wall panel 31 having two end wall panels 32 and 33 at one end thereof as Well as two similar end wall panels 34 and 35 adjacent the other end of the panel. The end wall panel 35 is connected along the central transverse score line 11 to the corresponding and successive end wall panels 36 and 37 and another side wall panel 38 having end wall panels 39 and 40 at the other end thereof. The second mentioned carrier wall section defined by the longitudinal score line 21 and the longitudinal edge 23 (which is not provided witn transverse score lines corresponding to the lines 27, 28, 29 and 30) is divided by its various score lines into a side wall panel 41 having end wall panels 42 and 43, the end wall panel 43 being joined along the central transverse score line 11 to a corresponding end wall panel 44 of a second side wall panel 45 having another end wall panel 46 at the other end thereof. The remaining portions of the body member between the second and third longitudinal score lines and 21 form, in cooperation with the central longitudinal score line 19, gusset-shaped carrier bottom panels which connect together the side wall panels 31 and 41 and the side wall panels 38 and 45.

The other features of the carrier blank shown in Fig. 2, and which I have found to be advantageous but not essential, comprise a handle portion, a handle reinforcing flap, certain cutout features associated with the central transverse score line 11, and divider strips. The handle structure shown in Fig. 2 comprises a panel 25 integrally formed as a projection of the carrier side wall panel 38. The handle panel is divided by a central score line 47 which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal score lines of the main body member. The two halves of the handle panel are provided with conventional handle cutouts 48 and 49, and the outermost end of the handle panel is provided with glue tabs 50. It will be appreciated, of course, that the handle panel need not be formed integrally with the main body member of the carrier blank. Thus, the handle may comprise a separate structure of paperboard or the like secured to any of the carrier side wall panels. The handle may also be constructed of metal and be capable of sliding downwardly into the carrier so as to eliminate, for convenience in shipping, any projection extending upwardly above the level of the tops of the columnar articles in the carrier.

The handle reinforcing ap comprises a ap 51 projecting from and formed integrally with the carrier side wall panel 31. ln the assembled carrier provided with an integrally formed handle panel as shown in Fig. 2, the ap 51 extends upwardly over and is glued to the portion of the handle panel 25 adjacent the side wall panel 38 and thus provides a double thickness along the line of termination of the extreme end of the folded handle panel.

The cut out portions associated with the central transverse score line 11 facilitate folding the blank flap about this line. Approximately the upper and lower thirds of the adjoining end wall panels and 36 are cut away symmetrically about the central transverse score line 11 as shown at 52 and 53. Approximately the center third of the central transverse score line 11 joining the end wall panels 43 and 44 of the other carrier wall section is cut in the form of a capital I 54 so that the fold about the center third of the score line 11 adjoining the end wall panels 35 and 36 can project through this cut when the blank is folded into its ultimate configuration.

The divider strips shown in Fig. 2, and which are desirable principally when the carrier is to be loaded with bottles, are formed adjacent the longitudinal edge 23 of the body member. Each divider strip 14 is formed by a slit 55 extending in from the longitudinal edge 23, and normal thereto, with the slit 55 communicating with another slit 56 parallel to the longitudinal edge 23. The divider strip is further provided with three transverse score lines 57 to permit its being bent into three sections of approximately Vequal size. The number of divider strips so provided depends upon the number of columnar articles to be held by the assembled carrier, the blank shown in Fig. 2 being provided with four strips in order to divide the assembled carrier into six compartments.

The carrier blank shown in Fig. 2 is folded and assembled as follows. The outermost half of .the handle panel 25 is folded upwardly and forward along its central score line 47 and the glue tabs 50 are secured to the face of the carrier side wall panel 38. The carrier wall section defined by the third longitudinal score line 21 and the longitudinal edge 23 of the body member is folded upwardly about the central longitudinal score line 19 and back upon the other carrier wall section. The divider strips are folded inwardly and are secured at their section nearest the slit to the corresponding portion of the carrier side wall panels 31 and 38; The carrier blank at this stage in its assembly is shown in Fig. 3. Adhesive such as glue applied to the end wall panels 33, 35, 36 and 40 secures these panels to the corresponding portions of the unscored end wall panels 42, 43, 44 and 46, respectively, of the other carrier wall section.

The partially assembled carrier blank in the form shown in Fig. 3 is then folded by bending the two halves of the blank backwardly about the central transverse score line 11. As the blank is so bent, the center third of the score line 11 adjoining the end wall panels 35 and 36 projects in the manner of a tongue through the i-shaped cut 54 in the corresponding portion of the central transverse score line 11 adjoining the end wall panels 43 and 44. The tongue thus holds the folded portions of the blank in alignment during folding, whereas the reception of the tongue by the eut 54 and the provision of the cut out portions 52 and 53 eliminate bulk within the fold along the central transverse score line 11. The other ends of the blank, brought into juxtaposition by the folding operation, are secured in place by adhesive applied to the glue flap 22. Adhesive applied to the backs of the carrier side wall panels 31 and 38, which are also brought into juxtaposition by the folding operation, completes the joining of the blank into its ultimate rigid form. lt will be appreciated, by reference to Fig. 4 in which the carrier is shown in its ultimate folded but slightly opened form, that compressive pressure applied against both ends of the folded carrier will cause the carrier to open to the form shown in Fig. 5, the carrier being shown in this figure in its lform when slightly less than completely opened.

It will be seen that the collapsible carrier of my present invention, when folded along the central longitudinal score line 19 with the end wall portions adhesively secured together as described in connection with Fig. 3, comprises a carrier blank folded longitudinally thereof so as to form two extended side panels joined together along the fold. The side panels are joined together transversely thereof adjacent each end and adjacent a section thereof substantially intermediate these ends. In this form, the side panels and the connecting fold of each portion of the folded blank between one joined end and the joined intermediate portion form two carrier sections for columnar articles capable of being brought into juxtaposition by folding the one portion around on the other about a fold line extending transversely across the folded blank substantially centrally of the intermediate joined section of the side panels. When the two carrier sections of the longitudinally folded carrier blank are folded as aforesaid about the central transverse score line so as to bring into juxtaposition the two portions of one side panel bctween the intermediate and end sections thereof, the

juxtaposed portions, when adhesively secured to one another, provide a carrier for columnar articles on each side of the joined juxtaposed side panel portions. As pointed out hereinbefore, a handle member for the carrier may be provided in any conventional manner although it is presently preferred to form the handle member as an upward extension of at least one of the juxtaposed side panel portions. The carrier in its folded position is substantially at so that a large number of the folded carriers can be stacked for transportation and for positioning in an automatic loading machine. The carrier structure is such that when, either by hand or by moving elements of a loading machine, the extreme ends of the folded carrier are pressed toward one another, the folded carrier will open so as to expose the two carrier portions, one on each side of the juxtaposed side panel portions. This carrier structure, instead of being formed from a paperboard blank such as that described and claimed herein, may be formed from a kraft paper blank such as that described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 232,784 which issued as Patent No. 2,615,612.

It will be appreciated that the various score lines in and adjoining the end wall panels of both carrier wall sections tend to resist bending and thus impart resilient resistance to the opening of the carrier. This resistance causes the carrier side wall panels to bear against columnar articles inserted therebetween so as to hold them in place, whereas the tendency of the end wall panels to resist being folded flat causes these panels to form a buffer for the articles adjacent the ends of the carrier. Moreover, this same tendency of the carrier to revert to its folded condition causes the bottom gusset panels formed between the longitudinal score lines 19, 20 and 21 to project downwardly (as shown in Fig. 6) and thus act as a protective buffer for the columnar articles when the loaded carrier is set down.

I claim:

1. A blank for a collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising a blank of substantially rigid sheet material having a substantially rectangular main body member, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line and having second and third transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and closer thereto than to the ends of the body member, the body member further having fourth and fifth transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and adjacent but spaced from the ends of the body member, the body member also having a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line normal to the transverse score lines and having second and third longitudinal score lines on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line, the area of the body member defined by the second and third transverse score lines and further by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, and the areas of the body member defined by the ends thereof and the fourth and fifth transverse score lines, respectively, and further by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cutout, at least one divider strip formed adjacent one longitudinal edge of the body member on each side of the central transverse score line by a slit extending from and normal to said edge and a communicating slit parallel to said edge.

2. A blank for a collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising a blank of substantially rigid sheet material having a substantially rectangular main body member, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line and having second and third transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and closer thereto than to the ends of the body member, the body member further having fourth and fth transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and adjacent but spaced from the ends of the body member, the body member also having a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line normal to the transverse score lines and having second and third longitudinal score lines on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line, the area of the body member defined by the second and third transverse score lines and further by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, the areas of the body member defined by the ends thereof and the fourth `and fifth transverse score lines, respectively, and further by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, the portion of the main body member between the second longitudinal score line and the nearer longitudinal edge of the body member being further provided with a transverse score line between one end and the fourth transverse score line, between the second and central transverse score lines, between the central and third transverse score lines, and between the fifth transverse score line and the other end, and at least one divider strip formed adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the body -member on each side of the central transverse score line by a slit extending from and normal to said edge and a communicating slit parallel to said edge.

3. A blank for a collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising a blank of substantially rigid sheet material having a substantially rectangular main body member, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line and having second and third transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and closer thereto than to the ends of the body member, the body member further having fourth and fifth transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and adjacent but spaced from the ends of the body member, the body member also having a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line normal to the transverse score lines and having Vsecond and third longitudinal score lines on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line, the area of the body member defined by the second and third transverse score lines and further by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, the areas of the body member defined by the ends thereof and the fourthand fifth transverse score lines, respectively, and

further by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, the portion of the main body member between the second longitudinal score line and the nearer longitudinal edge of the body member being further provided with a transverse score line between one end and the fourth transverse score line, between the second and central transverse score lines, between the central and third transverse score lines, and between the fifth transverse score line and the other end, at least one divider strip formed adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the body member on each side of the central transverse score line by a slit extending from and normal to said edge and a communicating slit parallel to said edge, and a carrier handle portion adjoining the main body member.

4. A blank for a collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising a blank of substantially rigid sheet material having a substantially rectangular main body member, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line and having second and third transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and closer thereto than to the ends of the body member, the body member further having fourth and fifth transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and adjacent but spaced from the ends of the body member, the body member also having a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line normal to the transverse score lines and having second and third longitudinal score lines on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line, the area of the body member defined by the second and third transverse score lines and further by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, the areas of the body member defined by the ends thereof and the fourth and fifth transverse score lines, respectively, and further by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, and a carrier handle portion formed integrally with the main body member and projecting beyond one longitudinal edge thereof.

5. A blank for a collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising a blank of substantially rigid sheet material having a substantially rectangular main body member, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line and having second and third transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and closer thereto than to the ends of the body member, the body member further having fourth and fifth transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and adjacent but spaced from the ends of the body member, the body member also having a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line normal to the transverse score lines and having second and third longitudinal score lines on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line, the area of the body member defined by the second and third transverse score lines and the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, the areas of the body member between the ends thereof and the fourth and fifth transverse score lines respectively and further dened by the second and third longitudinal score lines being cut out, the areas defined by the longitudinal edges of the body portion and the second and third longitudinal score lines respectively comprising carrier wall sections each of which is divided into two carrier side panels and adjoining end wall portions by the central transverse score line, the carrier wall section between the second longitudinal score line and the nearer longitudinal edge of the body member being further provided with a transverse score line between one end and the fourth transverse score line, between the second and central transverse score lines, between the central and third transverse score lines, and between the fifth transverse score line and the other end, and at least one divider strip formed adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the body member on each side of the central transverse score line by a slit extending from and normal to said edge and a communicating slit parallel to said edge.

6. A blank for a collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising a blank of substantially rigid sheet material having a substantially rectangular main body member, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line and having second and third transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central transverse score line and closer thereto than to the ends of the body member, the body member further V4having fourth and fifth transverse score lines on opposite sides of the central :transverse-score line :and adjacent 'but spaced from the endsof the body member, the body member also having .a substantially .centrally disposed longitudinal score line normalto the transverse score lines and having second and third longitudinal score linesonopposite sides of the central .longitudinal score line, the area of the body .member defined bythe second and :third transverse score lines .and the second .and .third longitudinal score lines `being cut out, the lar-eas vof the lbody member between lthe ends thereof and lthe ffourth and ifth transverse score lines respectively and further defined by the second and third longitudinal score l-ines being cut out, the areas dened -by the longitudinal edges of the body portion and the second and third llongitudinal score lines respectively comprising carrier wall sections each of which is divided into two carrier side panels and Vadjoining end -wall portions by the central transverse score line, the carrier wall section between the second longitudinal score line and the nearer longitudinal edge of the body member being further provided with a transverse score line between one end and the fourth transverse score line, between the second and central transverse score lines,.between the central and third transverse score lines, and between the yfifth transverse score line and the other end, at least one divider strip formed adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the body member on each side or" the central transverse score line by a slit extending from and normal to said edge and a communicating slit parallel to said edge, and a carrier handle portion formed integrally with the main body member and projecting beyond one longitudinal edge thereof.

7. A blank for a collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising a blank of substantially rigid sheet material having a substantially rectangular main body member, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line dividing the body member into two portions, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line normal to the transverse score line and having second and third longitudinal score lines on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line, a portion of the main body member being cut out between the second and thirdlongitudinal score lines adjacent both ends thereof and adjacent a central portion of the blank intermediate said ends so as to divide each of said sections of the main body member into two carrier wall sections connected together by the remaining portion of the main body member between the second and third longitudinal score lines, each carrier wall section being connected to the corresponding wall section of the other portion of the main body member along the central transverse score line, the main body member being further provided with second and third transverse scorelines on opposite sides of the central ltransverse score line and substantially aligned with the ends of the central cut out portion of the main body member, fourth and fifth transverse score lines respectively adjacent the ends of the body member and substantially aligned with the inner ends of the end cut out portions of the main body member, the carrier wall section between the second longitudinal score line and the nearer longitudinal edge of the body member being further provided with a transverse score line between one end and the fourth transverse score line, between the second and central transverse score lines, between the central and third transverse score lines, and between the fth transverse score line and the other end, and at least one divider strip formed adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the body member on each side of the central transverse score line by a slit extending from and normal to said edge and a communicating slit parallel to said edge.

8. A blank for a collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising a blank of substantially rigid sheet material having a substantially rectangular main body member, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed transverse score line dividing the body member into two portions, the body member having a substantially centrally disposed longitudinal score line normal to the transverse score line and having second and third longitudinal score lines on opposite sides of the central longitudinal score line, a portion of the main body member being cut out between the second and third longitudinal score lines adjacent both ends thereof and adjacent a central portion of the blank intermediate said ends so as to divide each of said sections of gthe main 'bodymember into two carrier wall sections connected 1together by the remaining portion of the main body member between the second and third longitudinal score lines, each carrier Wall ksection ybeing connected to the corresponding wall section of the other portion of the main body member along the central transverse score line, the main body member being further provided with second and-third transverse score lines on opposite sides of 'the central transverse score line and substantially aligned with theends of the central cut out portion of the main body member, fourth and fifth transverse score lines respectively adjacent the ends of the body member and substantially aligned with the inner ends of the end cut out portions of the main body member, the carrier Wall section between the second longitudinal score line and the nearer longitudinal edge of the body member being further provided with a transverse score line between one end and the fourth transverse score line, between the second and central transverse score lines, between the central and third transverse score lines, and between the tifth transverse score line and the other end, at least one divider strip formed adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the body member on each side of the central transverse score line by a slit normal to said edge and a communicating slit extending from and parallel to said edge, and a carrier handle portion formed integrally with themain body member and projecting beyond one longitudinal edge thereof.

9. A collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising two oppositely positioned side wall panels of sheet material, two oppositely positioned end wall panels of sheet material each provided with a substantially centrally and vertically disposed fold line, the lateral edges of the end wall panels being joined to the lateral edges of the side wall panels, a central partition member comprising two panels of sheet material adhesively secured together adjacent the central portion thereof which forms a longitudinal central partition for the carrier, each of the partition member panels separably extending beyond both ends of said centrally secured .portion in the form of a connecting panel which is hingedly connected both to the end of said centrally secured portion of the partition panel along a vertical fold line adjacent said end and to the proximate portion of each end wall panel approximately midway between its central fold line and its proximate lateral edge along a vertical fold line joining the connecting panel and a glue flap formed integrally therewith, the glue flap being adhesively secured to said end wall panel, and a bottom panel of sheet material extending from the lower edge of each side wall panel to the lower edge of the centrally secured portions of the central partition panels.

10. A collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising two oppositely positioned side wall panels of sheet material, two oppositely positioned end wall panels of sheet material each provided with a substantially centrally and vertically disposed fold line, the lateral edges of the end wall panels being joined to the lateral edges of the side wall panels, a central partition member comprising two panels of sheet material adhesively secured together adjacent the central portion thereof which forms a longitudinal central partition for the carrier, each of the partition member panels separably extending beyond both ends of said centrally secured portion in the form of a connecting panel which is hingedly connected both to the end of said centrally secured portion of the partition panel along a vertical fold line adjacent said end and to the proximate portion of each end wall panel approximately midway between its central fold line and its proximate lateral edge along a vertical fold line joining the connecting panel and a glue tlap formed integrally therewith, the glue flap being adhesively secured to said end wall panel, a bottom panel of sheet material extending from the lower edge of each side wall panel to the lower edge of the centrally secured portions of the central partition panels, and at least one divider strip connected between the central partition member and each side wall panel.

11. A collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising two oppositely positioned side Wall panels of sheet material, vtwo oppositely positioned end wall panels of sheet material each provided with a substantially centrally and vertically disposed fold line, the lateral .edges of the end wall panels being joined to the lateral edges of the side wall panels, a central partition member comprising two panels of sheet material adhesively secured together adjacent the central portion thereof which forms a longitudinal central partition for the carrier, each of the partition member panels separably extending beyond both ends of said centrally secured portion in the form of a connecting panel which is hingedly connected both to the end of said centrally secured portion of the partition panel along a vertical fold line adjacent said end and to the proximate portion of each end wall panel approximately midway between its central fold line and its proximate lateral edge along a vertical fold line joining the connecting panel and a glue flap formed integrally therewith, the glue flap being adhesively secured to said end wall panel, a handle member formed as a vertical extension of the partition member, and a bottom panel of sheet material extending from the lower edge of each side wall panel to the lower edge of the centrally secured portions of the central partition panels.

12. A collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising two oppositely positioned side wall panels of sheet material, two oppositely positioned end wall panels of sheet material each provided with a substantially centrally and vertically disposed fold line, the lateral edges of the end wall panels being joined to the lateral edges of the side wall panels, and a central partition member comprising two panels of sheet material adhesively secured together adjacent the central portion thereof which forms a longitudinal central partition for the carrier, each of the partition member panels sep arably extending beyond both ends of said centrally secured portion in the form of a connecting panel which is hingedly connected both to the end of said centrally secured portion of the partition panel along a vertical fold line adjacent said end and to the proximate portion of each end wall panel approximately midway between its central fold line and its proximate lateral edge along a vertical fold line joining the connecting panel and a glue ap formed integrally therewith, the glue flap being adhesively secured to said end wall panel, a handle member formed as a vertical extension of the partition member, a bottom panel of sheet material extending from the lower edge of each side wall panel to the lower edge of the centrally secured portions of the central partition panels, and at least one divider strip connected between the central partition member and each side wall panel.

13. A collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising two oppositely positioned side wall panels of sheet material, two oppositely positioned end wall panels of sheet material each provided with a substantially centrally and vertically disposed fold line, the lateral edges of the end wall panels being joined to the lateral edges of the side wall panels, a central partition member comprising two panels of sheet material adhesively secured together adjacent the central portion thereof which forms a longitudinal central partition for the carrier, each of the partition member panels separably extending beyond both ends of said centrally secured portion in the form of a connecting panel which is hingedly connected both to the end of said centrally secured portion of the partition panel along a vertical fold line adjacent said end and to the proximate portion of each end wall panel approximately midway between its central fold line and its proximate 'lateral edge along a vertical fold line joining the connecting panel and a glue ap formed integrally therewith, the glue ap being adhesively secured to said end wall panel, and a bottom panel of sheet material formed integrally with and extending between the lower edge of each side wall panel and the lower edge of the centrally secured portion of the proximate central partition panel.

14. A collapsible carrier for columnar articles and the like comprising two oppositely positioned side wall panels of sheet material, two oppositely positioned end wall panels of sheet material each provided with a substantially centrally and vertically disposed fold line, the lateral edges of the end wall panels being joined to the lateral edges of the side wall panels, a central partition member comprising two panels of sheet material adhesively secured together adjacent the central portion thereof which forms a longitudinal central partition for the carrier, each of the partition member panels separably extending beyond both ends of said centrally secured portion in the form of a connecting panel which is hingedly connected both to the end of said centrally secured portion of the partition panel along a vertical fold line adjacent said end and to the proximate portion of each end wall panel approximately midway between its central fold line and its proximate lateral edge along a vertical fold line joining the connecting panel and a glue ap formed integrally therewith, the glue ilap being adhesively secured to said end wall panel, at least one ofthe central partition panels being provided with an integrally formed and upwardly extending projection forming a handle member for the carrier, and a bottom panel of sheet material formed integrally with and extending between the lower edge of each side wall panel and the lower edge of the centrally secured portion of the proximate central partition panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,345,711 Shapiro a July 6, 1920 1,475,983 Casey Dec. 4, 1923 2,354,370 Gilbert July 25, 1944 2,460,108 Smith et al. Ian. 25, 1949 2,532,446 Hall Dec. 5, 1950 2,556,341 Ringler June 12, 1951 2,556,778 Ringler June 12, 1951 

